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User researcher

Alternative titles for this job include

User researchers collect, analyse and test data to design websites, software and applications based on user needs.

Average salary (a year)

£34,000 Starter

to

£68,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become User researcher

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • psychology
  • human computer interaction (HCI)
  • digital marketing
  • product design
  • graphic design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This will take around 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

If you're working in an organisation that conducts user research, you could get work experience by volunteering to help in research sessions and user interviews. This would be useful, especially if you do not have a degree.

You can also get involved in the online user experience (UX) community for advice and tips, and to find a mentor to help you.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to user research or digital design companies, or go through a specialist agency.

To apply, you'll need experience in:

  • user-centred design practices
  • running user research sessions in person and online
  • different user research methods
  • presenting user research findings in different formats

Other Routes

You could apply for a place on a user research or marketing company's graduate training scheme if you have a degree, for example in digital marketing or product design.

More Information

Career tips

It will be useful if you have experience of working in agile project development.

You can find further information on what a user researcher does at the Government Digital Service.

It will also help if you have a portfolio to show examples of your work to employers.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a user researcher from the User Experience Professionals' Association (UXPA) and techskills.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of English language
  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a user researcher you would:

  • plan and design user research testing sessions
  • recruit users for testing, run sessions and gather feedback
  • get an understanding of users' needs, motivations and any problems with a service or product
  • identify new product and design ideas from research results
  • work as part of a larger product development team
  • help colleagues understand user behaviours
  • present user insights to project stakeholders at all levels

Working environment

You could work in an office, at a client's business, at events or from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could move into a management role and supervise a team of user researchers. You could also work on larger, more complicated projects as a head of user experience or research.

You could become a business analyst, or product or service designer.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Degree Apprenticeship at AJ Bell

  • Wage: £22,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Salford Quays, Manchester
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 3 Certificate in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) NCFE

  • Provider: THE CITY LITERARY INSTITUTE
  • Start date: 28 April 2025
  • Location: London

UI UX Design

  • Provider: NEW CITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 17 September 2025
  • Location: HACKNEY
Find courses near you

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